DONATUS NADI examines the factors responsible for the consistent decline of the fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an opposition party in Nasarawa State.If anyone had dared to tell the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State that Governor Umaru Tanko Almakuras defeat of their candidate who was also a sitting governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, in 2011, signalled the end of their reign in the state, two things were most likely to have happened.Its either you evoked laughter from the members of the party and their sympathizers who were so confident that Almakuras emergence was only a product of their internal wrangling and that he was going to be sent packing after four years within which period the party would have put its house in order.Another possible response would have been that the electorates who got fed up with years of unprecedented underdevelopment presided over by PDP governors would have sworn to perpetually shut the door against the PDP through the ballot.Today, the combination of the two factors is playing out. While PDPs self destructive tendencies are worsening, the electorates are emboldened and assisted by the fact of their unending internal feuds to keep them out of power.> In 2011, it was Senator Abdullahi Adamus Concerned Group within the PDP that was blamed for sabotaging governor Domas return for the second term paving way for Almakura of the then Congress fot Progressive Change (CPC), to gain the reign of the state.In 2015, two factors caused the PDPs efforts at returning to Shendam Road Government House in Lafia. First, it was the defection of Mr. Labaran Maku who defected to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after losing the primaries of the party to Alhaji Yusuf Agabi.Secondly, former governor Aliyu Akwe Doma also mobilized his kinsmen to vote for Almakura as a way of hitting back at the leadership of the PDP whom he believed betrayed him by not working hard enough to ensure his re-emergence as the candidate of the party, especially having supported the party almost singlehandedly after leaving office in 2011.On every occasion since 2011 therefore, PDP in Nasarawa always believed that they could win every election if not for the internal sabotage by its members and not because the APC has gained grounds and won over the electorates.In the hope that the recent congress in the state would be the end of self destruction of the party in the state, the contrary is actually in its budding state, after a keenly contested election for the chairmanship of the party in the state between a former lawmaker, Hon. Francis Orogu and and the legal adviser of the party, Barr. Hassan Yakubu.The build up to the congress had polarized the major stakeholders within the party and it is left to see how Mr. Orogu would be able to mend fences to avoid another round of internal sabotage which has now become the ready made excuse of conceeding defeat for the PDP.In the build up to the election, Mr Orogu enjoyed the support of his former colleagues at the Assembly, most of whom lost elections due to their roles in the failed impeachment attempt on Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura.With likes of the former Speaker of the Assembly, Musa Ahmed Mohammed and Hon. Baba Ibaku from the Western Zone and Sidi Bako and others from the southern zone, Mr. Orogu was elected while his kinsman, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe worked tirelessly to snsure the victory of Barr. Yakubu.Impeccable sources within the party divulged that the older block within the PDP is not happy with Orogu whom they tagged as stubborn and independent minded. Their grouse is hinged on the fact that the former Labour leaders would not be easily manipulated.In a bid to ensure that Orogu was tactically edged out, Sen. Adokwe ensured earlier that the chairmanship position was zoned to Obi local government area leaving Barr. Yakubu as the sole candidate.Using his good office, Sen. Adokwe also canvassed support for his preferred candidate from older crop of politicians in the state like two former deputy governors, John Abdul and Dameshi Luka. Consequently, their candidate for the office of the secretary of the party, Dr. Maijama Kwoso, was defeated by Adamu Bako, who worked with the former lawmakers.The younger crop of party stakeholders led by former lawmakers rejected the move and worked for one of their own to emerge. Leadeing this group of emerging gladiators of the party is Sen. Philip Gyunka who was himsel in the last Aseembly with Orogu.With Senators Gyunka and Adokwe supporting different camps and trying to secure the leadership of the party, the PDP is still in deep waters as their battle for supremacy gathers storm.LEADERSHIP understands that Sen. Adokwe has already started consultation ahead of 2019 for the emergence of a governor of Eggon extraction as a way of ensuring that Sen. Gyunka who enjoys wide acceptability does not get the parties nomination.Even though the past Ombatse saga has pitched the Eggon nation against almost all the major ethnic groups in the state which makes it near impossible for any of theirs to win any guber election in the state, Sen. Adokwe thinks otherwise.Sen. Gyunka however has continue to make public and unalloyed his support for Mr. Orogu whom he believes has the exposure, experience and guts to take the party to greater heights. The issue however remains as to whether he would be able to accommodate the various aspirations of the different blocks within the party.Speaking with newsmen after his election, Orogu said his major concern was to unite the party with sole aim of capturing power in subsequent elections. But that now remains a mirage in view of the current happenings within the PDP except urgent steps are taken.One factor which may affect the PDP in the state is lack of resources as years of being outside Government House have taken a toll on how the activities of the party are funded. Sen. Adokwe who was returned the third time has the wherewithal but would he be ready to support a chairman he openly worked against his emergence
Click here to read full news..
